So much has happened since my last post. First, last Thursday, I officially received my temporary two-year residency card (just one business day before my visa expired). God was so good in providing all the necessary details in a very timely fashion! Of course, the picture on the card isn’t the greatest. I didn’t smile in it because Africans don’t typically smile in official pictures. I ended up looking mad in the picture. But regardless, I have my card!
Then on Sunday, we had the first baptism at the new church plant in Foumbot. Two ladies were baptized, and both gave very powerful testimonies of how God has worked in their lives. Albertine’s entire family, I believe, attended the baptism service. Please pray that Albertine will be able to present the Gospel clearly to them. Celine’s husband also attended the service. He has come in the past, but I hadn’t seen him recently. Pray that God would soften his heart to the Gospel and that Celine would be a living testimony in her home. What an thrilling experience—to walk down to the river and see these precious ladies give such a public testimony of their faith. I’m sure we were quite a spectacle. It was washing day down at the river, so there were many people standing around, working on their clothes. Then all of our church marches over, with three people going right into the water! Pray that God continues growing His church in Foumbot, and that the impact of the baptism and these ladies’ lives will be far reaching.
On Monday I had two different Bible studies. I hadn’t been able to meet with Frieda for several weeks (since around Christmas), but last week we finally reconnected. It was so encouraging to see her hunger for the Word and to see how God is working in her life. Please pray that God continues to work in her life and in Clementine’s (the other girl I have a Bible study with).
Our national pastor is getting married next month, and the missionary ladies are decorating for the wedding and the reception. The task seems overwhelming right now, but I know that God will give grace. Little by little all the details for music and the decorations are coming together. And the day of the wedding is coming even faster! Please also be in prayer for the wedding—that all the details of that day will be God-honoring, and that we will have wisdom in making the many decisions that are facing us for that day.
